If you think moving home base is a stressful event for a family, it’s even more so for your elderly loved ones. Whether you’re moving them into a new house or a senior living community, it’s more than a simple move, and will be physically demanding and emotionally straining for them.
At Busy Buddies, Inc., we are experts at moving elderly parents. In this post, we share ways to make a move less stressful for your seniors.
Set Expectations
It’s not hard to imagine why an elderly parent or loved one is emotionally vested in the home they’re leaving. It’s important to understand that there will be some apprehension or even resistance to the idea, as the immediate reaction is often that you’re getting rid of them instead of just helping them move.
As part of caring transitions, you need to set expectations and assuage their fears. While it’s important to give them time to grieve, it’s equally necessary to be honest with them about why they need to move and where they will be going so they don’t see the move as a loss of control over their lives.
Give Them a Sneak Peek of Their New Home
A good way to make the moving process less stressful is by giving your elderly loved one a sneak peek of the new property or living facility they’ll be moving into. For new homes, obtaining a blueprint is a good idea as it will give your elderly loved one a more accurate picture of their new house and how much space they will have.
Alternatively, you can give them a tour of the new neighborhood or community they’ll be moving to. This eliminates unknowns and answers questions your loved one may have, which will help them become more settled about the idea of moving.
Help Them Downsize
Finally, be active in assisting your elderly loved one in downsizing and getting rid of items that they may not be able to bring along. Be patient and help them understand why it’s necessary to get rid of these things. If they have an item that they absolutely refuse to sell, ask them if they’d be willing to pass it down to a relative. Sometimes it’s easier for seniors to give away an item if they know the person getting it will take care of it.
At Busy Buddies, Inc., we offer complete elderly moving services. You can count on us to help make your upcoming senior move a stress-free experience. Call us today at (703) 828-1833 to learn more about our services. We are experts at moving elderly parents in Arlington, VA.
